[Transfer]

For those who post about size, weight, too soft, wah wah wah, etc... what are you comparing to? If it's an M car then that's not a very good comparison. If it's a car from two generations past or older, also not a great comparison.

The M340i ticks a lot of boxes and is very very good for the average sedan. It is a standout in modern vehicles and hits a sweet spot below M and AMG. BMW has never made a 3 series like this one and I think it's fantastic.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by 4everkidd

I just spent the weekend within a 340 and although I was impressed it didn't handle or drive nearly as well as my F80.
Power delivery was smoother (and very impressive) but it felt like it was supposed to be that way. At no point did I want to take it to the mountains and push it; I was happy moseying around town running errands. Two very different cars.

Had one as a loaner... totally agree!

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by Transfer

BMW has never made a 3 series like this one and I think it's fantastic.

Its a great car but what is so special that there has been "no 3-series like this one"?

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

No, I'm pretty sure there are people who understand the difference and still would get M340i, like me. It's amazing how you guys deem yourselves as enthusiasm experts, and trying to insult others with weird unintelligent jokes and analogies.

Joe Achilles is an enthusiast in my view, and he says m340i is the best BMW, he likes it better than his M5 competition. I guess he doesn't understand driving as well as you do.

I was trying to say...

My friend is a hater and always right...

I think the M340 is great...

Perfect all around car!

[doug_999]

Well, I know where the writers from Automobile magazine went....

[MaverickM]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...-m340i-review/

Odd timing on the review, but I'll take it.

Test drove a 2017 m3 and m4 multiple times comparing to the 20 m340xi. In the end the M340xi was beating it in all realms. The handling could be better not m good but aside from that the torque and pull just felt smoother and faster. M340 could have a bit more high end torque too. Interior on the new m obviously wins too but that's not fair to compare.

The new M340xi just makes these older gens look and feel super old (as they should). Bmw has done an amazing job on the curves, grille and b58.

The new m3/4 will be a beast and can't wait. Just the front grills on them are killing us all a little but maybe in time we'll like it.

I don't understand the stigmatism against the M340xi by the way. I swear it's only on bmw forums where u see f80 owners and previous gen owners shit all over the new stuff. It's all subjective!

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Its a great car but what is so special that there has been "no 3-series like this one"?

It's bigger/roomier, more upscale, faster (by a huge margin), handles well, has a standard LSD, and xDrive models have more RWD bias. I'd argue it looks better too. In fact I'll drop a pic.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Transfer

It's bigger/roomier, more upscale, faster (by a huge margin), handles well, has a standard LSD, and xDrive models have more RWD bias. I'd argue it looks better too. In fact I'll drop a pic.

Does your car have laser lights? Nice looking car BTW! Great combo!

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Does your car have laser lights? Nice looking car BTW! Great combo!

Yep. The only reason I added exec pack.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Yep. The only reason I added exec pack.

Nice! What's included in that package on the G20?

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Nice! What's included in that package on the G20?

Parking assist plus, gesture control (lol), auto high beams, and the laser lights with better looking LED DRLs.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Parking assist plus, gesture control (lol), auto high beams, and the laser lights with better looking LED DRLs.

I love the ICON DRL's. Thanks for the description. Do you remember if the laser lights were available a'la carte?

[Ikester19]

Originally Posted by m34m

Why doesn't anybody have the balls to say this thing is huge? It's 8 inches longer than an E90 sedan and 4000lbs!!! I test drove it and couldn't stand it before leaving the parking lot. Add to that the car is soft and it's a big NO. ZF tranny stinks unless it's in auto mode but shifting it is pointless and downshifts are slow and slushy. This car felt like a big old Buick from the past except a really fast one. BMW seems to have the following formula these days: make them big and heavy then engineer the shit out of them to defy physics and do things that vehicles of that proportion and mass shouldn't be able to do. Some people get stuck marvelling at the engineering while I think that formula is flawed and doesn't make for a fun car. I also drove the X3M and had a very similar opinion.

I wouldn't say it's HUGE, it's a comparable size to similar cars in its segment. It is heavy as are most mid sized sedans these days but all the extra comfort, safety and tech equipment comes at a cost - extra weight. Having said that it's not much heavier than current M cars like the M2, M3. As for the ZF tranny, it is awesome for what it is but of course it's not as crisp in shifting as the DCT.

I for one went for the M340i for those very reasons as I expect most others did; smoother tranny, less harsh ride, great tech and its size which is a compromise between being too large or too small, perfect too in my case for family duties.

[Lighting.Grey]

What can I say? 3-series is a 3-series, you can't expect it feels like a 8-series. Lol

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Originally Posted by m34m

Why doesn't anybody have the balls to say this thing is huge? It's 8 inches longer than an E90 sedan and 4000lbs!!! I test drove it and couldn't stand it before leaving the parking lot. Add to that the car is soft and it's a big NO. ZF tranny stinks unless it's in auto mode but shifting it is pointless and downshifts are slow and slushy. This car felt like a big old Buick from the past except a really fast one. BMW seems to have the following formula these days: make them big and heavy then engineer the shit out of them to defy physics and do things that vehicles of that proportion and mass shouldn't be able to do. Some people get stuck marvelling at the engineering while I think that formula is flawed and doesn't make for a fun car. I also drove the X3M and had a very similar opinion.

I think the Buick comparison is spot on...I had the same thought when driving the 330.

And I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. But for those of us who loved the engagement that the generations before the F30 offered, it's pretty disappointing. The G series is a comfortable ride, nice interior, and quality tech.

But the car lacks that unique engagement I was hoping for. It's a bit generic feeling, and lacking excitement, like a Buick. Not to mention no 6MT.

Still an excellent vehicle, and I wouldn't be sad to have one. I just wouldn't be excited to drive it either.

The M2 on the other hand...thank god BMW can still build something like that. It's just a shame that the kind of engagement that car offers used to exist up and down the BMW lineup. Now it seems to only exist on a couple of models at best.

[wtwo3]

Here are my thoughts:

- It's no M car, and I don't think it's fair to even compare it to one, but it's an absolute beast of a daily driver at a ~$15k lower entry point.
- It's got the refinement and relative comfort of a daily driver, with a hint of M division performance sprinkled in. It's an awesome midpoint if you want a little (a lot of) taste of M performance but aren't willing to take on a full fledged, 0 compromise M car.
- Someone mentioned at no point did they want to take it to the mountains and push it. Well I'd encourage them to do so, because when it's pushed to its limits, it's surprisingly capable and incredibly fun.
- The ZF 8spd is incredible. Not sure why anyone would knock it in comparison to other auto transmissions out there.
- In terms of the weight/size - that's an overall industry trend, it's not specific to BMW. Cars in general are becoming heavier with more safety, insulation, technology, refinement packed in.

[JDUNITNOW]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Here are my thoughts:

- It's no M car, and I don't think it's fair to even compare it to one, but it's an absolute beast of a daily driver at a ~$15k lower entry point.
- It's got the refinement and relative comfort of a daily driver, with a hint of M division performance sprinkled in. It's an awesome midpoint if you want a little (a lot of) taste of M performance but aren't willing to take on a full fledged, 0 compromise M car.
- Someone mentioned at no point did they want to take it to the mountains and push it. Well I'd encourage them to do so, because when it's pushed to its limits, it's surprisingly capable and incredibly fun.
- The ZF 8spd is incredible. Not sure why anyone would knock it in comparison to other auto transmissions out there.
- In terms of the weight/size - that's an overall industry trend, it's not specific to BMW. Cars in general are becoming heavier with more safety, insulation, technology, refinement packed in.

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Here are my thoughts:

- It's no M car, and I don't think it's fair to even compare it to one, but it's an absolute beast of a daily driver at a ~$15k lower entry point.
- It's got the refinement and relative comfort of a daily driver, with a hint of M division performance sprinkled in. It's an awesome midpoint if you want a little (a lot of) taste of M performance but aren't willing to take on a full fledged, 0 compromise M car.
- Someone mentioned at no point did they want to take it to the mountains and push it. Well I'd encourage them to do so, because when it's pushed to its limits, it's surprisingly capable and incredibly fun.
- The ZF 8spd is incredible. Not sure why anyone would knock it in comparison to other auto transmissions out there.
- In terms of the weight/size - that's an overall industry trend, it's not specific to BMW. Cars in general are becoming heavier with more safety, insulation, technology, refinement packed in.

Do you think that people who are making comments similar to OP that it feels like a Buick are die hard track people. They can't get it out of their heads, the car is not setup for that type of use on a daily basis. My opinion is I don't want that type of car for a daily but if I want to occasionally act a little hooligan, the car can perform and I can go back to being civilized. I don't believe it is fair to criticize a product thats made for 90% of the buying preference.

[BMV///M3]

I had a 16' F80 and now have a G20 M340 so I'll share my thoughts. First off if I had my choice I'd take the F80, yes it is more raw and that 3-2 shift was harsh (though I think they fixed it in the later models). The F80 just has a stance and presence the G20 doesn't. It is definitely much more raw but I enjoyed it. But that is what works for me. Others may like the G20.

the G20 is a great car and very well balanced in power, tech and comfort. It's crazy quick, not as quick as the F80 but does the job. Also in our situation I ended up with a new role at work that I ended up with a company vehicle (a ford :/) so the wifey drives the M340. She definitely prefers it over the M3. So we have the M340 and a 2009 civic that I want to sell and buy a 2000-2001 Type R

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Wyndi335I

Do you think that people who are making comments similar to OP that it feels like a Buick are die hard track people. They can't get it out of their heads, the car is not setup for that type of use on a daily basis. My opinion is I don't want that type of car for a daily but if I want to occasionally act a little hooligan, the car can perform and I can go back to being civilized. I don't believe it is fair to criticize a product thats made for 90% of the buying preference.

Yeah the Buick comparison is another mind-boggling comment. And not just any Buick.... a "big old Buick from the past". I'm not even sure how to reply to it because it's one of the most nonsensical things I've heard.

I fully acknowledge it's not a full-on track focused M car, nor is it meant to be. But to call it a Buick is absolutely ridiculous. Being a die-hard track person doesn't automatically put you out of touch with reality. Does Lewis Hamilton think of his AMG GTR as a minivan?

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Yeah the Buick comparison is another mind-boggling comment. And not just any Buick.... a "big old Buick from the past". I'm not even sure how to reply to it because it's one of the most nonsensical things I've heard.

I fully acknowledge it's not a full-on track focused M car, nor is it meant to be. But to call it a Buick is absolutely ridiculous. Being a die-hard track person doesn't automatically put you out of touch with reality. Does Lewis Hamilton think of his AMG GTR as a minivan?

Agree, while new BMW's may never live up to their past, the M340 at least handles and drives well. The G30 5er on the other hand, I may actually agree with the Buick comment at least for that car.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by jstein55

Agree, while new BMW's may never live up to their past, the M340 at least handles and drives well. The G30 5er on the other hand, I may actually agree with the Buick comment at least for that car.

And that wouldn't be a totally unreasonable argument there, especially when considering the G30 is meant to be a comfortable cruiser. I'd still argue it handles much better than a "big old Buick from the past", but the comparison would be more understandable.

I think the fact that the G20 M340i gets so much comparison to an F80 is more a compliment to the M340i than it is a knock against the F80. I haven't seen quite as many comparisons to the F30 340i, which it's a direct successor to. This tells me just how much BMW has improved the car (typical issues such as steering feel aside).

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Yeah the Buick comparison is another mind-boggling comment. And not just any Buick.... a "big old Buick from the past". I'm not even sure how to reply to it because it's one of the most nonsensical things I've heard.

I fully acknowledge it's not a full-on track focused M car, nor is it meant to be. But to call it a Buick is absolutely ridiculous. Being a die-hard track person doesn't automatically put you out of touch with reality. Does Lewis Hamilton think of his AMG GTR as a minivan?

Most of them have probably never even driven a Buick, let alone a big one from the past. It is ridiculous.